Raymond Brown handed RoSPA President’s (10 Consecutive Golds) Award for Health and Safety Practices

Raymond Brown has been handed a prestigious award in recognition of its practices and achievements in helping our staff and subcontractors get home safely at the end of the working day.

Raymond Brown has achieved a President’s (10 consecutive Golds) in the internationally-renowned RoSPA Health and Safety Awards, the longest-running industry awards scheme in the UK.

The RoSPA Awards scheme, which receives entries from organisations around the world, recognises achievement in health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of qualifications, awards and events, said: “The RoSPA Awards have become the key fixture in the health and safety calendar with new sponsors and new awards this year including the Leisure Safety Awards, the Safe@Work Safe@Home Award and the Inspiration Awards. Highly-respected, with almost 2,000 entrants every year, RoSPA award winners benefit from the wide-ranging rewards of improved sector reputation.”

The majority of awards are non-competitive and mark achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Gold medals, president’s awards, orders of distinction and the Patron’s Award are presented to organisations sustaining the high standards of the gold level over consecutive years.

3,880 Mixed Broadleaf Trees and Shrubs planted at Brickworth Quarry

The Brickworth Quarry team are in the process of planting around 5,000 mixed broadleaf trees and shrubs as part of the restoration of Round Corpse North.

The 3,880 planted so far consist of Oak, Hornbeam, Sweet Chestnut, Copper Beach, Field Maple, Common Alder, Hazel, Hawthorn and Guelder Rose.

This forms part of the final stages of the restoration of Round Copse North back to broadleaf woodland.

Operations progress at Brickworth Quarry

We are pleased to announce that quarrying operations have progressed into Phase 2 of Area A with the extraction of soft sand at approximately 150,000 tonnes per annum.

Phase 3 of Area A is currently being felled in preparation for quarrying.

The Round Copse North Area has been restored and soils have been placed, tree planting will commence in this area shortly and Lowdens Copse has been backfilled using inert materials and soils are due to be placed for restoration in Spring 2019.

The current landfill operation is progressing well in Phase 1 of Area A and is planned to receive direct placement of the soils excavated from Phase 3 of Area A.

Raymond Brown are delighted to welcome Don Coates to the business as Chief Executive Officer

Raymond Brown are delighted to announce Don Coates as the group’s new Chief Executive Officer.

The appointment is a key part of Raymond Brown’s future growth strategy, which will see Don steering the business through its growth and expansion plans.

Don commented: “Raymond Brown is a well-respected business and I am excited to be joining at a key time in the Group’s development when there are many great prospects.  I will ensure that we remain committed to our employees, customers, local communities, health and safety and improving the environment, which underpins our core values.  I look forward to supporting the senior team in leading the group through this next phase.”

Don has 30 years’ experience in manufacturing, working across a variety of sectors, and has led several businesses as CEO in both private and public company environments, including 17 years with DS Smith Plc, where his responsibilities included running the UK’s largest waste paper recycler.

Don will be working closely with Chief Operating Officer, Steve Clasby, Chief Financial Officer, Wayne Roberts, and the management team.

Steve Clasby commented: “On behalf of the Raymond Brown team, I would like to welcome Don, who we are thrilled to have on board.  I very much look forward to working with Don to make the most of the opportunities ahead as we continue our success into the future.”

Brickworth Quarry welcomes Assistant Quarry Manager, Karl Reed

Karl Reed has been appointed at Brickworth Quarry as Assistant Quarry Manager and will be working closely with the team and supporting Quarry Manager, Martin Wooldridge in overseeing the safe, efficient and effective management and supervision of operations at Brickworth Quarry.

Karl has worked for the business for over 21 years, with a history in construction and more recently, Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) processing.

Karl is committed to working as a team and is always looking at new ways to improve operations.  Last year he was recognised as the employee who most exemplified Raymond Brown’s three core values within the workplace and received an award and John Lewis vouchers.

Raymond Brown hosts successful Brickworth Quarry Open Event

On Thursday 21 June, Raymond Brown held an open afternoon at Brickworth Quarry to provide the local community with an opportunity to have a tour of the site, chat to employees and enjoy a community afternoon.

The open event ran from 3.30pm – 6.30pm and saw over 60 visitors enjoying the sunshine at the quarry as they tucked into freshly made pizzas from a wood fired pizza oven and refreshments.  In the morning, the site welcomed 25 schoolchildren from nearby Whiteparish Primary School, who were invited on a school trip to have a tour of the site and learn about the industry.  This educational visit forms part of our Community Matters Initiative which sees us providing and supporting industry learning opportunities within the communities in which we work.

The event welcomed families and all children were gifted with a mini hi-vis vest and goody bags.  Children were also able to create their own sand creatures to take home and were provided with activities to complete, such as Biodiversity Bingo.  Congratulations to our two Biodiversity Bingo winners, Emily and Alex who received a £15 book voucher each.  Visitors were given guided tours by employees who are experts in the quarry, its history and nature conservation.

The event was free of charge to all visitors but through donations on the day, £50 was raised for the Whiteparish Memorial Trust.

Industry trade association, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) also attended, discussing with visitors the importance of sustainable development, biodiversity environmental protection and safety in and around quarries.

Steve Clasby, Chief Operating Officer commented: “We have an award winning site and it was a pleasure to be able to open it up to the local community and showcase our biodiversity and restoration.  Judging by the feedback received, the event was hugely successful and provided guests with an opportunity to engage with our employees as well as providing them with an insight into our operations at Brickworth Quarry.”

Photos from the day can be found by clicking here.

Whiteparish Primary School visit Brickworth Quarry in Wiltshire

Raymond Brown invited schoolchildren from local Whiteparish Primary School to visit Brickworth Quarry.

Upon arrival, the students, who are all in the Year 6 Eagles class, were provided with appropriate personal protective equipment and a worksheet to complete during their visit.  The class were then given a tour around the quarry and the chance to see how the sand is extracted and processed through a screening and wash plant and then loaded onto lorries and distributed for use in the construction industry.  The children were also given the opportunity to have an up close look at the ancient woodland soils and learn about the site’s management and conservation of them as well as identifying different animal footprints on site.

Raymond Brown staff explained why quarries are needed, the uses of sand in construction and the environmental benefits of quarrying.  Students also learned about the dangers of entering a quarry unauthorised and the importance of safety on site.

Following the site tour and a classroom lesson, activities were undertaken outside and the children took turns at sieving different sands from three of Raymond Brown’s quarries and filling up miniature sand shape bottles which they took home with them.

To emphasise how the quarry provides environmental benefits to help biodiversity flourish, in creating habitats for numerous wild animals and birds, the children also created colourful bird feeders and planted cress seeds to take with them.

Martin Wooldridge, Quarry Manager commented: “It was a pleasure hosting the Whiteparish Primary School Eagles Class, they were enthusiastic and asked lots of questions about the quarry.  It was great to give them an insight into the quarrying industry and we really enjoyed having them on site.”

Whiteparish Primary School Head Teacher, Kate Heathcote commented: “On Thursday, the Eagles visited Brickworth Quarry and had a great trip! Huge thanks to all at Brickworth for making this a memorable trip for the eagles and for providing mini-buses!”

Quotes from the Eagles Class:

“We all enjoyed the experience; the best bit for me was making the bird feeders.” – Grace

“Our experience at Brickworth Quarry was fascinating because we learnt a lot about the quarry and stones.” – Megan

“My favourite part was sieving the sand and also the tour around as I had never seen a quarry before.” – Abbie

“‘It was really interesting finding out how big quarries are and how important they are.” – Joe

Brickworth Quarry Open Afternoon on 21 June

Raymond Brown are opening the doors to Wiltshire-based Brickworth Quarry on Thursday 21 June.

The open afternoon will be from 3.30pm – 6.30pm and will provide local residents with the opportunity to have a site tour of the quarry, absorb its history and substantial restoration and learn about the work being done to increase biodiversity.

Families are welcome and there will be activities for children as well as competitions to raise funds for the Whiteparish Memorial Centre.

Freshly made wood-fired pizzas and refreshments will be available to visitors.

Please wear sensible footwear (not sandals).

The site address is: Brickworth Quarry,  Junction A36/A27, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 2QJ

Martin Wooldridge promoted to Site Manager at Brickworth Quarry

The business is pleased to announce that as of November 2017, Martin Wooldridge has been promoted to Quarry Manager at Brickworth Quarry.  Martin has been with the business for almost five years, managing the Marchwood Wharf site in Southampton and has 20 years’ experience in the quarrying and aggregates industry.

Brickworth Quarry’s existing Quarry Manager, Mark Renault has managed the quarry for over 20 years and as part of the company’s drive to expand its operations, the Estates and Planning Team have recruited Mark as Environmental Permitting Manager for the business.  Mark will now be responsible for securing and maintaining Environmental Permits, protected species licences and biodiversity management.

 Colin Jones, General Manager commented: “The opportunity has been taken to review the operational management structure within Quarry Products with the objective to provide focus towards various ongoing and upcoming projects, to increase plant optimisation and operational efficiencies, promote cost savings through improved plant maintenance and bolster environmental and quality management within the division.  I wish both Mark and Martin every success in their new roles.”

 

Brickworth Quarry wins prestigious Biodiversity Achievement Award

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) ‘Quarries & Nature 2017 – Appreciating Assets’ event took place on Thursday 19th October at The Royal Society, London and was presented by BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today presenter, Sybil Ruscoe.

Expert speakers included a number of current issues related to nature conservation. They were Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of the Wildlife Trusts, Professor Steve Ormerod, Cardiff Professor of Ecology and until recently Chairman of RSPB and Tom Butterworth Associate Director of WSP.

The MPA’s 46th Awards recognised exceptional practice and showcased some of the best examples of quarry restoration and wildlife conservation anywhere in Europe.

Raymond Brown were presented as winners of the Biodiversity – Planned Restoration category by Sir Desmond Swayne MP who praised the restoration work and entrepreneurial spirit of the business.

The award was for Brickworth Quarry, where Raymond Brown recently gained permission for an extension to an existing operation. The area to be quarried is currently commercial coniferous plantation, but it was originally broadleaved woodland and the soil carries a rich seed bank. A robust handling strategy has been designed which relies on moving soils only once, using direct placement to the area of restoration.

The judges were impressed with the carefully planned removal of the conifer plantation, the management and conservation of ancient woodland soils and the planting of native trees to deliver a net gain in broadleaved woodland habitat.

In words of the County Ecologist who considered the planning application, “The total area of woodland within the restored site will be substantially increased. Areas of habitat creation will benefit species like bats, dormice, great crested newts, birds and reptiles.”

Commenting, Nigel Jackson, Chief Executive of the MPA said: “Once again MPA members’ have demonstrated what an environmentally responsible industry can do to both protect existing and create new habitats. We could not be more proud to showcase what can be achieved by an industry that is uniquely placed to make a net gain to biodiversity.”

Rob Westell, Estates & Planning Director at Raymond Brown commented: “We are extremely proud to win this award which is testament to the hard work of a small group of people and it is a great achievement for Raymond Brown to be on the same stage as the big multinational extraction companies in the UK. The new planning permission at Brickworth Quarry will ensure transformation of a conifer plantation to broadleaved woodland, providing enhanced habitat for a wide range of species, while protecting a valuable soil resource.”